The shepherd william blake5/7/2023 ![]() It is the sort of innocence, which according to Blake, can be easily corrupted by organized religion and lead men further away from the truth of God in favor of expanding its own power crushing creativity for the sake of conformist obedience. It is fitting that “The Shepherd” is in the Songs of Innocence collection, since it appeals to the time in people’s lives before they are capable of reflecting on a situation and figuring out on their own what decisions are best for them. “The Shepherd” illustrates the churches relation towards the youth of their flock, instilling within them a herd-like obedience towards its own authority and at the same time teaching them to praise this same authority. In line with the underlying anticlerical message evident in much of William Blake’s work, both “The Shepherd” and “The Angel” can be read as subtle, but stern, condemnations against church establishment. When the angel does flee the situation and the maiden is left alone, she “dried tears, and arm’d fears,” and upon the angel’s return she states, “I was arm’d, he came in vain,” because through her maturity she has made the conscious decision in her advanced years to-if need be violently-break free from the self-deprecating condition the angel’s preoccupation with her has created. Whereas “The Shepherd” is comparable to a child yearning for the fawning of an overbearing parent, “The Angel” is that child maturing into adulthood, and desperately yearning for independence from her parents’ authority. The telling piece in the poem is that the angel is by no means a brute, but a concerned protector, yet the maiden seems to resent his presence anyway. Here, a maiden is being guarded over by a benign angel, similar to how the sheep were watched over by the shepherd, except unlike the sheep the maiden is filled with anguish rather than bliss. In contrast to “The Shepherd,” Blake’s poem in Songs of Experience titled “ The Angel,” approaches the same theme from a different standpoint. Though the poem diverts the reader’s attention from sensing anything menacing with the strategic usage of gentle words like sweet, praise, innocent, tender, and peace, the dire message here can be read as indeed one of solace for both the sheep and shepherd, but also of a particularly menacing variant, reminiscent of captive victims who have learned to identify with their captors (Stockholm Syndrome). The sheep, for their part, blissfully bask in innocent ignorance, enjoying the peace of mind grated to them through the shepherd’s protection. He asserts guard over his sheep from “morn to evening,” “following his sheep all the day,” and, “his tongue shall be filled with praise.” The Shepherd’s benefit from this relationship appears to be a self-aggrandizing one, basking in the sheep’s dependence on him. But, as is with much of Blake’s writing, there is also a sense of a sinister totalitarianism being exercised by the benign shepherd. The obvious message is the absolute sense of tranquility that is found by the herd from having a benign celestial father alertly protecting them. A Canada wide initiative by dedicated enthusiasts, designed to promote the benefits of purebred dog ownership.In his poem “ The Shepherd,” from Songs of Innocence, William Blake describes the scene of innocent sheep being diligently watched over by a sweet shepherd.Contact the CDJA to offer Ringside Mentoring & Breed Presentations.Barry Truax's Top Dog stats for 1988 - 2007 plus Terriers up to 2017.Before contacting potential breeders, visit CKC’s Finding an Accountable Breeder page for a list of key tips to help you find the right breeder for you. Adding a new member to your family can be an exciting and patience-trying experience.Considering purchasing a purebred dog? The Puppy List is an easy-to-use searchable database that includes contact information for CKC Member Breeders.The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is the primary registry body for purebred dogs in Canada and currently recognizes 187 breeds.Red Deer & District Kennel Club Rally Trial-1 ![]() Red Deer & District Kennel Club Obedience Trial-1 Red Deer & District Kennel Club Rally Trial-2 Red Deer & District Kennel Club Obedience Trial-2 Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club Show-2 Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club Show-1 Red Deer & District Kennel Club Rally Trial-3 Red Deer & District Kennel Club Obedience Trial-3 Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club Show-4 Newfoundland (All Breed) Kennel Club Show-3 ![]()
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